Shahid Kapoor: The publication of the kissing picture devastated me; I was just 24 years old.

In the most recent episode of Sit With Hitlist, Shahid Kapoor candidly discusses his emotions upon the publication of the photo capturing him kissing his then-girlfriend.

In 2004, amidst the rising popularity of paparazzi culture and tabloids, Shahid Kapoor became embroiled in a significant controversy. A photograph capturing the actor and his then-girlfriend engaged in a kiss at a Mumbai nightclub named Rain was published in Mid-day, sparking a whirlwind of commotion within the entertainment industry.

During our print and podcast series Sit With Hitlist, Shahid Kapoor opened up about his emotional state following the incident, expressing, “I was completely shattered during that time. Being just a 24-year-old young man, I felt a deep invasion of my privacy, and I was helpless to defend it. I was a mess, questioning what had happened and what was going on. Naturally, it had a significant impact on me. Especially at that age, when you’re still trying to understand your own emotions, navigating relationships, and dealing with the complexities of being actors in different places. And amidst all of that, this incident occurred…”

According to Shahid Kapoor, with the prevalence of social media and today’s paparazzi culture, actors are now more prepared for such incidents. He stated, “I believe actors are now fully aware that it’s bound to happen, 100%. Back then, we were caught off guard… So, it’s like dealing with an informed devil rather than an uninformed devil scenario. At least now, you know it’s going to happen. Moreover, I’m already married and have children. Nobody is interested in those aspects of my life. They have other 24-year-olds to focus on,” he shared with Mayank Shekhar of Mid-day.

When discussing the promising young talent of today’s 24-year-olds, Shahid Kapoor highlighted his brother Ishaan, stating, “My brother Ishaan possesses tremendous potential.” When asked about others, he expressed, “There are quite a few, I believe. Many youngsters are exceptionally talented. In terms of acting, my brother surpasses most individuals in his age group. However, he still has a long way to go. Among the girls, all of them are skilled—Janhvi, Sara, Ananya, Rashmika—they are all very talented. I believe all the girls are talented.”

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